What Is HVAC & What Does It Stand For?

by wfcadmin

As a homeowner, you may be easily confused by the term “HVAC.” Sure, you’ve heard it before and probably have a general understanding as to what HVAC is, but do you really know all of the types of services that fall under the HVAC umbrella?

Today, we will go into further detail regarding what exactly HVAC is, along with the several types of services that fall under it.

What is HVAC?

HVAC is defined as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Cooling. The term refers to the different systems used for moving air between indoor and outdoor areas, along with heating and cooling your property. HVAC is what keeps you warm & cozy during the winter, and cold & fresh during the summer. Additionally, HVAC systems are used to control the quality of air in your home, filtering out dust, allergens, and other particles that may be present.

How does HVAC work?

Put simply, HVAC equipment is meant to move air, whether it’s heating or cooling an indoor space. Typically, HVAC systems contain three major elements: a heating unit, cooling unit, and duct to move the air.

In some cases, your equipment may be separate. This is commonly seen in radiant systems combined with window air conditioning units. More commonly, we see combined systems, such as central heating and AC systems that use a single blower to circulate air via internal ducts in a home, or with a ductless system for different rooms or zones in the house.

HVAC Basics

Most people don’t want to know how their HVAC unit works until it stops working. With HVAC repairs and replacements being relatively costly, it is important to learn how your HVAC unit works so that you can properly maintain it and avoid repairs down the line.

Heating Your Home: How It Works

The majority of homes in North America rely on a central furnace to provide heat in their home. The furnace is responsible for blowing heated air through the ducts that deliver warm air throughout the house. Below, you can find more information regarding how the process of heating your home works.

Furnace – Generates heat through electrical energy or burning its fuel source (typically gas, but can be propane or oil as well).

Heat Pump – When heating, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoor unit and transfers it inside. A common myth is that heat pumps

Cooling Your Home: How It Works

A common myth is that air conditioners create cold air for your home. This is not the case, as air conditioners and heat pumps actually absorb heat from within a home, then move it to the outdoor unit. Below, you can find a more information regarding some of the most important aspects of an air conditioning unit.

Refrigerant – Your cooling unit uses a chemical compound called refrigerant to absorb environmental heat and provide cool air once run through compressors and evaporators. It is important to make sure that you use the right kind of refrigerant, as the incorrect one can damage your unit.

Heat Pump – Opposite to its’ function in heating, a heat pump can do the reverse during the cooling stage. During cooling, the heat pump is responsible for absorbing heat from the inside and transferring it outside.

Ventilating Your Home: How It Works

Ventilation is defined as the process of replacing or exchanging air within a space. This results in better quality of air in addition to the removal of moisture, dust, allergens, etc. Listed below are some of the key points for ventilation in your home.

Ductwork – The system of ducts (metal or synthetic tubes) responsible for transporting air from the HVAC equipment throughout your home.

Chimney Flue / Vent Stack – Used to get rid of excess heat.

HVAC Maintenance

If you happen to notice any problems with the heating and cooling, or quality of air in your home, then it is probably time to get your HVAC equipment serviced. We recommend staying away from DIY projects, as any mistakes could cost you significantly more money in the long run.

Below, we have listed the 5 most common signs that indicate your HVAC unit may require a maintenance or repair.

  • Change In Airflow
  • Increased Energy Bill
  • Old Age
  • Noises and Smells
  • Excess Moisture or Dust

Since homeowners rely on their HVAC system to keep them comfortable year round, regular maintenance is recommended to ensure that your system produces and distributes air how you’d like it to.

Choose Steve’s Heating & Cooling

Have any questions regarding your HVAC unit? Give us a call today!

Since 1975, Steve’s Heating and Cooling has serviced thousands of comfort systems throughout the Northern Kentucky area, focusing on offering only the best heating and cooling services. We provide quality installation, service, and replacement of heating and air conditioning comfort systems in single system homes, multiple system homes, multi-family dwellings, and commercial properties.

 

Nest thermostat on a grey wall

5 Ways A Nest Thermostat Could Save You Money

by wfcadmin

Maybe you saw it at your doctor’s office, or the first time you walked into your friend’s newly renovated home. Maybe you saw a story about it on the news, or it was in the background of a photo you saved to your “Home Inspiration” board in Pinterest. We’ve all seen one: that small, circular surface with the brightly lit interface that always seems to pop up in trendy spaces. What is it?
It’s a Nest brand thermostat, or more specifically, the Nest Learning Thermostat. The “learning” feature is perhaps the most innovative; the thermostat learns what temperature you like and builds a schedule around it. Something so high-tech has to be completely out of budget for the average homeowner, right? Wrong! A Nest Thermostat can actually save you money—here’s how.

1. Never forget to adjust the temperature again

After using the Nest Thermometer for a week, it will remember your heating preferences. Do you turn the heat down when you leave for work in the morning, or adjust it to cool your home right before you go to sleep? By remembering these preferences, the Nest Thermostat automates these changes so that you don’t have to think about it, and more importantly, will save you from accidentally leaving your heat on all day and running up your bill.

2. Get rid of costly standing fans and heaters for priority rooms

Maybe you like a warm home but a cool bedroom, or maybe you can only get work done in your office while it’s nice and toasty but the rest of your family hates the heat. With Nest thermostats, you can set up zoning in your home so that different areas can be heated or cooled differently. This means you can say goodbye to additional space heaters or standing fans. Those are notorious energy-wasters, and having a solution for those will save you money long term.

3. Have complete control over temperature with mobile app, wherever you are

It’s your house, so you should be in control. Never worry about the temperature of your home again. Your house can be set to “Away” mode for extended periods of time. This is great for things like vacations. Do you have pets at home, or maybe a relative will be in your home while you’re away? Nothing to worry about, your temperature can be easily adjusted and then readjusted to accommodate changing situations, even when you’re remote.

4. Safety features save you from costly home disasters

If your home is experiencing extreme heat or cold, Nest will send you alert to avoid damage being done. This is a safety net against huge potential dangers–and thus, potential expenses– for your home, like pipes freezing or overheating your home. Never worry about an unexpected heat or cold wave again, with a Nest Thermostat, your home and your money can be safeguarded with the touch of a button.

5. The first thermostat to get the ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED

If you’re not yet convinced, you can trust the experts at Energy Star. They are committed to putting their stamp on products that benefit the consumer and the planet, so having a thermostat be energy star certified is huge. One of Nest Thermostat’s ultimate is Eco mode, which can optimize and choose the best, most cost and energy efficient temperature for your home. This type of innovation is what earned them their energy star certification, and also makes them the best choice for cost-conscious consumers.

Those are just the obvious reasons a Nest Thermostat can save you money. Get in touch with the experts at Steve’s Heating to start taking advantage of this new, efficient, money-saving technology today.